Eider Leite is the Irish supermodel you've never heard of, writes ROSEMARY MACCABE
Eider Leite on Brazil I’m originally from Brazil, from a German and French family. I moved to Ireland three years ago to start college. Then I met my partner. I hope to go back to Brazil eventually: the market is really good there, for what I want to do. I’m opening a shop with my business partner in Brazil at the end of the year. I’ll do the buying, and she’s going to look after things at home.
. . . on eating outThe Cake Cafe is great. It's like being in the countryside, in the centre of the city. I also really like Queen of Tarts. Whenever we do a show, we all go there – me, Grace [Connell] and Thalia [Heffernan, both models with Morgan].
... on modelling in ParisI've done work for Givenchy and Burberry, but Lanvin was definitely the best. They just treat you so well, you feel like you're really special. It was my first big job and it felt so good. It was exciting. I remember walking in and thinking, are you sure you want me here? Sometimes you don't have the confidence when you walk into the room and there are all these models there.
. . . on kindnessI always say to be kind to people. Being nice doesn't cost anything, and you never know when you're going to see this person again, what they can do for you. One day, you can meet a hairstylist backstage at a show, the next day they can suggest you to someone else. Things happen so quickly.
. . . on readingI read a lot of Paolo Coelho. I love him: there is some passion about him. I just like when you read a book and you just get so into the story.
. . . on making timeWhenever I have a free day, I try to meet friends. Everyone works so hard and has different time off. So my ideal day wouldn't be about money, it would just be about time. We'd just go somewhere for a coffee, talk about our lives and talk about our plans.
. . . on looking goodI try to eat really healthily, and I go to the gym. I can't get muscles, though, because I'm a fashion model. In Ireland, the image of the male model is this big, muscly guy, but in Paris, London or Milan, if you're big, forget about it. I grow my own vegetables, and I scrub my face a lot. The best is just sugar and honey: just take a bit of sugar, a bit of honey and just scrub. Afterwards, you'll be amazed. But I also use a lot of nice Chanel things. It's quite pricey, but you don't use too much. I always wet my face first, then spread it, so it goes further.
. . . on packingIf I'm travelling for work, I travel light, because you don't need anything. But for holidays, I like to be clean and shaved and to wear nice clothes. I don't think I could go backpacking – I would prefer to go to those places for four days and enjoy it than be walking around with a big bag.
. . . on city lifeI love Berlin; but then, every time I'm in Paris or London it's for work, so it doesn't vary much. But New York and Berlin: they're pretty cool.
